Concessionary bus passes - Sense lobby of Parliament

Campaigners are calling for improvements to the concessionary bus passes for disabled people introduced earlier this year. The national passes provide free off-peak travel for disabled people - including some people who have experience of mental distress - on local bus services anywhere in England.

They are calling on the government to include free travel for disabled people at all times of day, free travel for companions of those disabled people who cannot travel alone and fairer eligibility criteria. Under the current system, local authorities are able to add these provisions, but many do not.

Sense, a national deafblindness charity, is organising a mass lobby of Parliament on 29 October 2008 and encourages all disabled people and their families to get involved, including those who experience mental distress.

For more information about the lobby, please contact Sense on 020 7014 9372 or to order a free information pack, visit Sense's website at www.sense.org.uk/buspass

Mind is also campaigning to broaden the eligibility requirements of the bus pass scheme to include more people with experience of mental distress. Learn more and get involved in this important issue.